College, high school hoops rivalries this week's must-see events

Monday

Jan 20, 2014 at 8:00 AM

1. Michigan-Michigan State7 p.m. Saturday on ESPNThe Big Ten men's basketball season heats up this week as rivals Michigan and Michigan State square off with first place in the conference on the line. The past two years have spoiled basketball fans in the state with both the Spartans and Wolverines playing at a dominant level. Michigan isn't quite the same team as last year's national runner-up group with Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. in the NBA and sophomore center Mitch McGary injured. But the Wolverines are still going strong in the Big Ten. The Spartans have been on a role, beating ranked teams left and right. This game should set the tone for the rest of the season.2. Prep hoops rivalries5:30 p.m. today at Saugatuck; Friday at Civic CenterThe Saugatuck and Fennville boys and girls basketball teams complete their makeup games on Monday at Saugatuck. The boys start at 5:30 p.m. and the girls follow at 7 p.m. Michael Winowiecki and Wes Webbert are proven scorers headed to the college ranks for Saugatuck. They are extremely fun to watch, as is Fennville's Aaron Overhiser, who has proven to be one of the top post players in the area. Check out the best small-town rivalry in West Michigan today. If that's not enough, Holland faces Holland Christian at the Holland Civic Center in a Friday girls/boys doubleheader. This game is for first place in the OK Green and has two of the top players in the area in Holland Christian's Kyle Steigenga and Holland's Dante Hawkins.3. Boxing at Civic Center4 p.m. Saturday at Holland Civic CenterThe Holland Civic Center will again see some top-notch boxing this week. The Misfit Boxing Club is putting on "Homecoming of the Heroes 2." The USA sanctioned Golden Glove boxing will be from 4-7 p.m. Check out former Junior Olympics champions Angelenia Schneider and Pedro Soto. Both are scheduled to fight Saturday. The arena will turn to mixed martial arts at 8 p.m. to round out the evening of fighting. Tickets start at $25. Call (616) 594-9158 for more information.4. Hope-Calvin swimming1 p.m. Saturday at HopeThe Hope-Calvin rivalry takes to the water this week when the Hope swim teams host Calvin at 1 p.m. Saturday. Check out some of the top swimmers in NCAA Division III when Hope's Klare Northuis, a Holland native, leads the women's team against Mikaela Rookus and the Knights. Divers Sarah Sheridan and Erica Dunham should post some key points on the diving boards for Hope. In the men's meet, Jake Hunt, Andrew Larson and Jeff Zita (Holland Christian) are looking to knock off the Knights and put themselves in position for an MIAA title.5. Australian Open finalsFriday-Saturday on ESPNReady to stay up for some late-night sports excitement? Check out the Australian Open tennis finals this weekend. Play runs each night on ESPN2 leading up to the women's final at 3 a.m. late Friday night or early Saturday morning (however you want to look at it). The men's final is 3 a.m. late Saturday/early Sunday. Most of the top men's players are still around with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic looking to be on another collision course. Definitely worth adjusting your sleep over.— Dan D'Addona